Ready to be done with high school algebra, once and for all? Ready to get those math credits under your belt and move on? Most high school students are prepared to take the College Algebra CLEP after finishing the high school level of Algebra 1 and 2. That means you could graduate from high school prepared to go test out of an entire semester of college credit! Sound like a good plan?
Well let me help you get started on the College Algebra CLEP!
1) Stock your bookshelves
There are two resources that you *have* to have on your bookshelf for the College Algebra CLEP. The first one is the CollegeBoard CLEP Official Guide and the second is the REA College Algebra Guide. CollegeBoard makes the CLEP exams, so their test guide is the best one to have on your shelf, no matter which test you’re taking. And REA guides are the perfect test prep guide, to make sure you are covering all the problems you will meet on the test.
2) Get to know the College Algebra CLEP
The College Algebra CLEP has 60 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. A passing score is usually awarded 3 college credits, depending on the policy of your institution. Approximately 50% of the exam is solving straightforward problems, the remaining 50% of the exam is application of the concepts learned in a college algebra course. A scientific calculator is provided for you, in the test taking software.
3) Take the CollegeBoard practice test
Take the CollegeBoard practice test for College Algebra and figure what percentage of the questions you got *correct* (i.e. divide number correct by total number of questions). If your total is 60% or above, go take the test! If not, move on to step 4. Note that I usually only take the CollegeBoard practice test when I’m assessing my knowledge of the subject. That allows me to reuse this practice test many times.
4) Study, study, study
This is the perfect time to pull out your handy, dandy REA College Algebra Guide! I use my REA guide as the backbone of my study time, and then supplement with some other resources. I use Khan Academy, Wikipedia, and Texas A&M. I also use the Algebra I For Dummies and College Algebra DeMYSTiFieD books. Feel free to use the practice tests in the back of the REA guide to measure your progress as you study.
5) Retake the CollegeBoard practice test
Take the CollegeBoard practice test for College Algebra and figure what percentage of the questions you got correct. If your total is 60% or above, go take the test! If not, repeat step 4.
So how are you doing in your college journey? Studying?